In a blockbuster development for Australian domestic
cricket, former England captain Ben Stokes has officially signed with the
Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming 2026/27 Big Bash League (BBL) season.
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| Image Credits: Sky Sports |
The 35-year-old all-rounder has secured a high-profile, full-tournament deal reported to be worth approximately AUD $500,000, positioning him among the marquee acquisitions in the competition's history. Stokes chose the South Australian franchise following a competitive bidding war that also saw interest from the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades. The acquisition serves as a major coup for Cricket Australia, injecting immense star power into the league under its revamped direct-signing contracting model.
This campaign marks Stokes’ return to the BBL for the first
time in over a decade. He previously played a brief four-match stint with the
Melbourne Renegades during the 2014/15 season. Because his schedule is free of
international red-ball commitments following his retirement from Test cricket,
Stokes will be available for the entirety of the Strikers' campaign—spanning
from the opening matches in December through to the finals in January.
Working alongside head coach Tim Paine, Stokes is expected to dramatically bolster the Strikers' lineup as they chase championship glory at the Adelaide Oval.
